Channel Tunnel closed for two hours

Eurostar services between Brussels and London have been severely disrupted after a Euroshuttle freight train encountered problems inside the Channel Tunnel. A CO2 sensor was triggered by smoke on a freight train inside the tunnel shortly after 9am CET. The tunnel’s emergency procedures were put into operation and everyone inside was evacuated.

Sat 15 May 2010 11:14

Train services through the tunnel were then suspended, delaying Eurostar services packed with day trippers and weekend tourists.

Emergency services from Kent were called, but no fire was reported, a Kent police inspector said.

"There was some smoke emanating from a shuttle transporting trucks. Within 10 minutes all passengers were evacuated into the service tunnel," a Eurotunnel spokeswoman was quoted as saying by AFP news agency.

An investigation is under way to find out why the alarm in the tunnel was triggered.